holistic vs. traditional nursing

MunoRN, RN · Jun 5, 2011

I'm also not sure what the difference between the two is. I found this definition: "Holistic nursing is defined as “all nursing practice that has healing the whole person as its goal” (AHNA 1998).", which doesn't make a lot of sense since "healing the whole person" is the goal of nursing in general.

Any help?

futrn · Jun 5, 2011

From my understanding as a holistic nurse you take extra courses in alternative methods of health and healing...such as aromatherapy, reiki/energy healing, holistic stress management techniques etc... now being able to use these techniques in a nursing job is what I am not really finding...but this is still a very new area of nursing and maybe it will grow and become more accepted in the mainstream =)

Guest27531 · Jul 31, 2011

Hello! I've just decided to change careers and pursue a long time dream of going into medicine, nursing specifically. However, I've recently become interested in holistic nursing. Can someone please explain the differences between traditional nursing/RN and holistic nursing? Thanks!

Holistic nursing is a nursing specialty for which an RN may obtain certification. An individual wishing to become a Holistic Nurse must first become an RN. Once an RN you would take additional courses (mine was 1 year) to learn the specialty after which you may be eligible to sit for the certification exam. There are three certifications - one for RNs with a diploma or Associate Degree, one for RNs with a BSN, and one for advanced practice (Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Nurse Specialists) nurses.

rnrainy · Sep 17, 2011

Holistic nursing is many things. The way I started to understand this concept was to understand Maslow's Hierachy. When you care for people as a nurse, you meet the basic needs first and THEN you can address higher needs. This includes spirituality, love, emotions, what the person needs beyond physical.

A holistic nurse doesn't need a certificate to be caring. Research nursing theorist Jean Watson and her 10 carative factors. If you want to be holistic, try to attend a nursing school with a holistic focused nursing theorist model (all schools have a theorist they chose for the focus of their teaching).

Nurses take care of people, doctors take care of peoples illness. Holistic nurses understand it is more than a lasix drip for congestive heart failure, or a medication to reduce cholesterol. It is forming a trusting relationship so the client (usually you take care of very short term) can share his REAL needs. Sometimes you will be the only person they will be able to talk to about the REAL issues, and therefor, have holistic healing.